Elements of Literature NOTES

Plot Setting Characters Conflict Point of View Theme 6 Elements of a Story Plot Setting Characters Conflict Point of View Theme

Plot Plot -the sequence of events that characters experience in a story An effective story must contain a plot. Plot Diagram

5 Stages of a Plot Exposition- the introduction of the characters and the setting in the story Rising Action- the series of events that describe a conflict that is intensifying or complicating Climax- the highest point of interest or action; usually at the end of story Falling Action- the result of the climax is explained Resolution/Denouement- final outcome of the story

RECALL PRIOR KNOWLEDGE: Cinderella CLIMAX The stepsisters try to force their feet into the slipper. It fits Cinderella. Only Cinderella’s feet fit. Cinderella dances with the prince, but leaves hurriedly at midnight; losing a slipper A fairy godmother appears and provides Cinderella with clothes and a coach. FALLING ACTION Renaissance era; Cinderella lives with her stepfamily. They make her wear rags and do all the hard work. An invitation to the ball arrives. Cinderella and the prince marry. The prince says he will marry the woman whom the slipper fits. Cinderella goes to the ball. The stepsisters go to the ball and tell Cinderella she cant go. They live happily ever after in the kingdom. EXPOSITION RISING ACTION RESOLUTION

Three Ways Plot is Told: PLOT TECHNIQUES Three Ways Plot is Told: 1.) Chronological- beginning, middle, end 2.) In Medias Res- Latin phrase meaning “in the middle” this is where a story begins in the middle ex. Hangover movie 3.) Flashback- interrupts the normal sequence of events to tell something that has happened in the past * Foreshadowing- hint or clue about what will happen in a story

Setting Setting- Time and Place are when the action occurs. Place- location of setting Time- when something occurs; two types of time 1.)Immediate- specific detail of the time in the story. Ex. Year, month, season, time of day? 2.)Global- a global description of what is occurring during this time. Ex. Era, war, beliefs, customs?

RECALL PRIOR KNOWLEDGE: What is the setting (time/place) in Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl? Place? country of Holland; hidden attic Immediate Time? 1939 Global Time? Nazis are occupying Holland & seizing Jews because they are hated by the Nazis

Types of Characters 1.)Major/Minor Characters: Protagonist -is the main/most important character (not always the good guy). The protagonist usually changes and grows because of experiences in the story. Antagonist- is the person or thing that opposes the main character (not always the bad guy). The antagonist does NOT change. 2.) Round vs. Flat Characters: Round( major character) reveals many details and traits of a character. Flat (major or minor character) reveals only one or two details about a character. 3.)Static vs. Dynamic Characters: Static – characters that do not change; stick to who they are ( remember “static cling”) Dynamic – a character that grows and changes throughout the story Hint: DEATH IS NOT A CHANGE

Three Types of Third Person P.O.V. : Point Of View : Three Types of Third Person P.O.V. : 1.)Third Person Limited – the narrator describes only what one or two characters may say, think, feel, or do (limited knowledge) 2.)Third Person Omniscient – the narrator is all knowing and can tell the reader what all characters may say,think,feel, or do (all knowledge) ex. God or higher power 3.)Third Person Objective-the narrator never tells the reader anything about what the characters think or feel. All you know is what they say or do. DETACHED (no knowledge)

Conflict Conflict is a struggle between opposing forces/ the complications build the reader’s interest Every plot must contain some kind of conflict Stories can have more than one conflict Two types of Conflict: external (outside) or internal (inside) * External Conflict- struggles between a character and forces outside the character. This means it is something that the character can not control. * Internal Conflict- struggles between a character and forces within the character.

Examples of conflicts External Conflict: Ask yourself: What outside force is the character struggling with? 1.) Man vs. Man (man vs. boxer) 2.)Man vs. Nature/Environment (man vs. hurricane) 3.)Man vs. Society (Hitler vs. Jews) 4.)Man vs. /Technology/Progress (man vs. Terminator/robot) 5.) Man vs. Supernatural ( man vs. zombies) Internal Conflict: Ask yourself: What is the character struggling with within? 1.)Man vs. Himself (man vs. jealousy) , (man vs. cancer), (man vs. making decision), (man vs. depression)

Recall Prior Knowledge: What is the conflict in “The Tale Tell Heart”? External- Internal- What is the conflict in “Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl” ?

Theme Theme- central message ,idea, or lesson about life that the author wants his reader to see there can be more than one theme in a piece of literature (as long as it can be supported) should be universal where the majority of society can relate to them Two Types of Themes: Stated Themes – are directly present in the story (the theme is told to you- you don’t have to infer) * Ex. Children’s books Implied Themes – must be inferred by considering all the elements; reader has to figure out * most stories contain implied themes because they are more challenging to figure out

RECALL PRIOR KNOWLEDGE: What is the theme in “The Tell-Tale” Heart? What one thinks about can sometimes control their actions. Appearances can be deceiving . One can never truly escape the power of guilt. Is it stated or implied? Implied; Reader has to infer the theme on their own.

Literary Terms: ALLUSION Reference to a person, place, or event from: Literature History Religion Mythology Politics Sports Music Art Ex. He met his Waterloo. Studying was his Achilles heel. This place is like a Garden of Eden. We are in a real Catch-22. He will never be a Jordan on the court.

Irony A contrast between expectation and reality If something is “ironic”, it is when what is expected is the opposite of what happens in reality “Ironic” by Alanis Morisette http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nm-1xvWibt0

Ex. * see a 7 ft. tall person and say “Hi, Shorty” 1.) Verbal Irony – saying one thing but meaning something completely different. Ex. * see a 7 ft. tall person and say “Hi, Shorty” * pouring raining outside and you say “Nice day…” * telling your teacher how excited you are about the upcoming test 2.) Situational Irony – A contradiction between what we expect to happen and what really does happen Ex. * A fireman’s house burning down. * An Olympic swimmer who drowns. * A police station being held up by an armed robber. * A marriage counselor who’s been divorced three times. * choking on a lifesaver 3.) Dramatic Irony – occurs when the reader knows something important that the characters in the story do not know. Ex. * surprise birthday party * horror movie scenario * real identity of Batman * talk show

Irony Clips Verbal Irony Situational Irony Dramatic Irony http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmSBrmgdKts Situational Irony http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkjYye-0W4A&feature=player_embedded Dramatic Irony http://www.metacafe.com/watch/564972/dramatic_irony_excercise/

Symbol An object, person, or event that functions as itself, but also stands for something more than itself. What do these images symbolize?